Grade 7 English (Virginia SOL)

Developing Skilled Readers and Building Reading Stamina (DSR)

• 7.DSR Build knowledge and comprehension by reading challenging, content-rich texts, using strategies when understanding falters.
• Read grade-level complex text fluently, monitoring and correcting word recognition and understanding.
• Understand literary and informational texts in the middle of the grades 6–8 complexity band.
• Support responses with several accurate, traceable pieces of evidence.
• Read sets of related texts on a topic to build knowledge and vocabulary.
• Use reading strategies when a challenging text blocks understanding.

Reading and Vocabulary (RV)

• Build vocabulary and word knowledge systematically through grade 7 content and texts.
• 7.RV.1 Develop vocabulary and analyze words through reading, discussion, and word-analysis strategies.
• Use general academic and subject-specific vocabulary from texts and discussion.
• Work out word meanings from sentence and paragraph context.
• Use Greek and Latin roots and affixes to predict unfamiliar word meanings.
• Use synonyms, antonyms, and analogies to deepen understanding of words.
• Analyze how figurative language such as simile, hyperbole, metaphor, and personification works.
• Tell apart subtle differences in connotation among words with similar meanings.
• Use dictionaries and digital resources for word origins, pronunciation, meaning, and part of speech.
• Use newly learned words accurately in discussion, speaking, and writing.

Reading Literary Text (RL)

• Use textual evidence to show comprehension and build knowledge from complex literary texts of many forms.
• 7.RL.1 Key ideas and details: theme, conflict, plot structure, and characters.
• Describe themes and trace how they develop using specific details.
• Analyze how conflict and plot elements shape the development of a story.
• Explain how static and dynamic characters, protagonists, and antagonists drive the plot.
• 7.RL.2 Craft and style: how authors' techniques shape meaning, tone, and point of view.
• Analyze how stylistic choices such as word choice and sound devices create meaning.
• Analyze how sentence structure, dialogue, imagery, and figurative language shape tone.
• Explain how characters' points of view shape the reader's interpretation.
• 7.RL.3 Integrate concepts: how story elements interact and how texts compare across forms.
• Explain how elements of a story or drama interact, including how setting shapes characters.
• Compare and contrast literary texts in different forms on similar themes.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• Use textual evidence to show comprehension and build knowledge from complex informational texts.
• 7.RI.1 Key ideas and details: main idea, summary, development of ideas, and claims.
• Write a main-idea statement and an accurate summary of how ideas develop.
• Analyze how an author orders and develops perspectives, ideas, or events.
• Trace claims and judge whether evidence is relevant.
• 7.RI.2 Craft and style: text features, word choice, and the author's perspective.
• Analyze how text features help readers understand information.
• Analyze how word choice, organization, and sentence structure support purpose.
• Analyze how an author's perspective, beliefs, or biases shape meaning.
• 7.RI.3 Integrate concepts within and across informational texts on shared topics.
• Analyze ideas within and between texts, including how sections build meaning.
• Compare how authors writing on the same topic stress different facts, opinions, and reasoning.

Writing (W)

• Compose a range of texts for different audiences and purposes tied to grade 7 content.
• 7.W.1 Modes and purposes: narrative, expository, persuasive, and reflective writing.
• Write narratives with precise words, transitions, and a clear sequence.
• Write expository texts using credible facts and structures that clarify ideas.
• Write persuasive texts with a clear position, claims, evidence, and reasoning.
• Write reflectively about texts using details and evidence.
• 7.W.2 Organization and composition: plan, draft, and develop well-structured multi-paragraph texts.
• Plan, draft, revise, and edit multi-paragraph texts with thesis, evidence, transitions, and conclusion.
• 7.W.3 Usage and mechanics: revise and edit for clarity, grammar, and conventions.
• Revise for clarity, word choice, sentence variety, and transitions between paragraphs.
• Edit own and peers' writing for mechanics, structure, and Standard English.

Language Usage (LU)

• Use Standard English conventions and tell formal from informal contexts.
• 7.LU.1 Grammar: sentence types, pronouns, modifiers, agreement, and consistent tense.
• Write simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences for clarity and variety.
• Use pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite, reflexive, and relative pronouns.
• Use precise adjectives and adverbs to improve speech and writing.
• Arrange phrases and clauses and use correct subject-verb agreement.
• Keep verb tense consistent across paragraphs.
• 7.LU.2 Mechanics: complete sentences, punctuation, dialogue, and spelling.
• Write complete, correctly punctuated sentences, avoiding comma splices and run-ons.
• Punctuate dialogue and direct quotations correctly.
• Spell frequently used words accurately and consistently.
• Use reference materials to check and correct spelling.

Communication and Multimodal Literacies (C)

• Build oral communication and collaboration skills for learners working through content together.
• 7.C.1 Communication, listening, and collaboration: lead and join sustained, respectful discussions.
• Lead and take part in sustained, respectful discussions with a range of partners.
• 7.C.2 Speaking and presenting: organized oral reports and expressive recitation of poetry.
• Give organized oral reports with evidence, adjusting delivery and citing sources.
• Memorize and recite a poem with expression that suits its tone and voice.
• 7.C.3 Integrating multimodal literacies: create and publish media messages using several modes.
• Create multimodal content combining two or more modes with a clear purpose.
• Create and publish media messages for a specific audience with claims and evidence.
• 7.C.4 Examining media messages: persuasive techniques, fact and opinion, and viewpoint.
• Explain persuasive and informative techniques used in media to influence audiences.
• Analyze media messages for facts, opinions, persuasion, word choice, and viewpoint.
• Compare how well techniques work across auditory, visual, and written messages.

Research (R)

• Conduct research and read related texts to build knowledge, solve problems, and support cross-curricular learning.
• 7.R.1 Evaluate and synthesise information: question, gather, judge, and share research ethically.
• Write research questions, broadening or narrowing the inquiry as needed.
• Collect, organize, and synthesise information from several sources through note-taking.
• Judge the relevance, validity, and credibility of primary and secondary sources.
• Quote, summarize, and paraphrase findings ethically in own words.
• Organize and share findings in formal and informal oral and written formats.
• Credit quoted or paraphrased information using a standard citation style.
• Use sources, including the internet and AI tools, ethically and responsibly.